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Reggie and the Full Effect

Greatest Hits '84-'87 [re-issue] (2004)
Vagrant Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on April 23rd 2004

The fictionalized Reggie and the Full Effect get their debut [and unarguably their best] album re-issued. Big deal, right? Why buy it if you already own the Second Nature version?

Well, this version contains 3 new songs, 1 remix, and 3 rare/compilation tracks.

But are they any good?

Well, not really. Outside of James Dewees' insane cover of Slayer's "Raining Blood," there's not much worth giving a second listen. The much-balleyhooed-about "Lord Of The Bling Trilogy" is rather bland and disappointing - the songs don't really go anywhere. The remix of "Your Girlfriends Hate Me" doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from the album version that appears only 16 tracks prior. "Only With Me" is boring, and "Everyone Is Crazy" sort of spins around in circles but never really goes anywhere. All of this convinces me that James Dewees ran completely out of ideas after the original version of Greatest Hits 84-87 came out 5 years ago.

If you already own this album, then there really isn't a reason to purchase it again. The original disc itself hasn't been remastered or anything, and there's still the annoying 3 minutes of silence between "Better For You" and "Everything's Okay," an oversight that should have been caught by now, one would think. However, if you don't already own this, the best album out of the trio that Dewees has put out under the Reggie moniker, it is still as good as it was half a decade ago - keyboardcore to the absolute max. Listening to this album again reminds me of being 17 and blaring this out of my '91 Sundance's windows as I drove home after the last day of school before the summer. The songs are ridiculously poppy and sugary, to the point where you're already singing along to the chorus before the song's even over. This really was Dewees at his creative peak, and is worth picking up if you didn't already own it. I just can't in good conscience tell you to drop 12 bucks on a re-issue unless you're a die-hard fan.

MP3
The Fellowship of the Bling (Featuring Hungary Bear)

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Anonymous (April 30, 2004)

i cant believe anyone is arguing the artistic merits of a complete joke band. "OMG he totally hit his writing peak on the 2nd album!" ITS A JOKE. and i'm sure james dewees is laughing all the way to his coke dealer. i'm amazed that people still buy reggie stuff.

but this album does still remind me of fun times when i was 17

Anonymous (April 26, 2004)

haha yea. i think james's whole schtick is being annoying. too bad he writes some of the poppiest motherfucking songs out there. god bless and god damn him. love this album, and the graint bad bside of only with me is good, i think.

-benz

Anonymous (April 26, 2004)

Scott, are you seriously retarded?

I really hope the silence thing was a pathetic attempt at humor. James putting silence in between songs for an unbearable amount of time? genius

Anonymous (April 26, 2004)

I don't get the allure of this band. The Bloodhound Gang is better.

(Sara no h)

Anonymous (April 26, 2004)

If im not mistaken isnt this a few of the get up kids fuck around band..?

OKSoda (April 25, 2004)

That's because Sean is real.

FortyMinutesWest (April 25, 2004)

Sean Ingram could beat Jesus in a kickboxing match, I think we can all agree on this.

Anonymous (April 25, 2004)

the only thing cool about this band is seeing the bass player (whoever it is at the time) come out in the skull mask (as seen on the cover). everything else is way overrated.

OKSoda (April 25, 2004)

I loathe the Undead.

lieutenant (April 24, 2004)

I loathe Reggie.

Icapped2pac (April 24, 2004)

Oh yeah, score's for bear suits, not the album.

Icapped2pac (April 24, 2004)

"Sean Ingram screaming into a microphone, wearing a bear suit can't hurt either. "

I couldn't agree more. "Something I'm Not" is probably my favorite Reggie song, although this definitely blows the other albums out of the water in whole.

Anonymous (April 24, 2004)

'ive finally figured out what was wrong.'reggie blows.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

A greater reissue to an already great Reggie CD...

BTW, I like a lot of the new Reggie--some more Coalesce-metal influences are coming out in some songs and some techno-infused rock (like garbage) in others.

It's a healthy progression, plus Sean Ingram screaming into a microphone, wearing a bear suit can't hurt either.

***el_provocateur***

OKSoda (April 23, 2004)

It only has the onesheet, which kind of bummer me too. I, however, feel that the new songs are pretty good. Besides, if you are like me, you might as well buy this, as your original is probably scratched beyond belief.

kirbypuckett (April 23, 2004)

This CD pissed me off.

I have a promo copy of it, does it have a regular booklet or just the one sheet?

- Kirby

gatecrasher (April 23, 2004)

score is for Sundances

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

I wouldn't say that he hit his creative peak with this album. I think he made some really good, quality songs on "Promotional Copy" and "Under The Tray" (like "Congradulations Matt and Christine" and "Happy V-Day"). He still can write a good pop tune. I will admit, this is better of the albums, but I wouldn't say he's creatively tapped out.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

best reggie album BY FAR. Better For You is just as good as it was when i first got it, even though my copy skips alot now. rock on.

-benz

rxbandito24 (April 23, 2004)

This is without a doubt their best album but you don't see AMAZING songs on it, ie smack and katy, thanks for stayin, etc. but over, this one blows away the others, but i must say i do like the first song on LOTB ep. I think it's called the fellowship of the bling,word.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

I'm so glad this was put down, and put down hard. I've never seen the appeal of these guys. I think they suck in fact.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

Live show is great, records are so-so.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

alkalinetrioalkalinetrio

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

band is ty.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

I never liked Reggie and the Full Effect.

Anonymous (April 23, 2004)

Crap